Sep 24. the door to a long and healthy life

[Lorraine Ann 0]

Well here I go. With fear and hope. Friday Sep 24 at 6 am.

every hurdle seems a test of committment.

I have my husband's support and for the first time have involved him totally in how important this step is to me. How essential it is.

I am married (duh). A new grandma!

And I need to change my health outlook and my inmost feelings about myself.

So here I go ....

[jason's mom 0]

Hi, Lorriane,

By the time you read this, you will probably be home!! I feel exactly as you...nervous and scared....I will become a gramma in Dec. and also ready to be healthier....good luck and let's compare notes!!

Jan

[Stormrider 0]

Hello To All,

I'm a very long time lurker, and first time poster. I had my surgery on the 21st of the month, and am just wrapping up my first day home post-op.

So far everything has gone smooth sailing. No stomach discomfort, no major abdominal pain, no trouble swallowing liquids, pills - no problems at all. To be honest, if it wasn't for the bandages around my chest, and the X-ray showing a band in there, I wouldn't have noticed anything different...well maybe my abdomen is a little sore.

I like to take a moment to add a little advice, and a word of encouragement to those of you who still have an upcoming surgery date and may be a little anxious or having second thoughts about it...

I haggled with my insurance carrier for over seven months before finally being approved (and this is from a supposedly top-notch one - BC/BS!). During that time, I read practically every thing I could find about the LAP-BAND® System, especially on LBT, and greatly increased my knowledge about the strengths and the weaknesses of this type of weight loss surgery.

The point I'd like to make is for those of you still contemplating on having the procedure, realize that while you will find a gold-mine of great information on weight-loss surgery forum sites such as this one, but also be very mindful not to base your own upcoming surgery on somebody else's posted experience. Always keep in mind that generally what you are going to read about are problems or worst case scenarios, which do not reflect the majority of LB patient outcomes.

This is to be expected to some extent, I guess, since generally people do post in online forums to find some help or resolution to their questions or problems - and this goes for every subject under the sun, not just gastric banding, to be fair. In a nutshell, a person who limits themselves only to what they read online concerning LBS will hardly ever hear about the countless procedures performed every day that have positive outcomes with no issues at all - just like mine.

I point this out with the hope that those of you who are still waiting on your surgery and might be now be anxious or wavering in your decision to go through with it (as I was, right up to the last second I had the anesthetic mask put on) might take comfort in the fact the the odds are actually with you, not against you. After seven months of waiting for approval and filling my head with online horror stories of failed pre-op diets, tyrannical doctors, surgeries gone wrong, post-op problems, etc, I was ready to call the whole thing off. And if it wasn't for some last minute encouraging advice from an old acquaintance who had the surgery, I might have done just that. Now I'm glad I didn't.

Wrapping it all up, learn all you can about this valuable weight loss tool, but base your experiences on your own experiences, and learn to separate the golden nuggets of online info from all the late night horror shows floating around in the ether land. I'm now 15lbs down from the pre-op diet, post-surgery, and well on my way to goal. Hope you will all soon join me on the journey. :smile2:

Stormrider

Start: 275 12/31/2009

Banded: 252 09/21/2009

Goal(?): 165 Someday!

LAP-BAND® Surgery in Indiana - Bariatric Surgery - Morbid Obesity Surgery - Keith McEwen M.D.

Edited September 24, 2010 by Stormrider

[BUNNY7 3]

Hi Lorraine. My name is Des, I'm 57 and a gran to 2 beautiful little ones. Had exactly the same motivation to have it done and went ahead last week Tuesday. I'm already feeling the benefits - my knees aren't so sore, and it's only 9 days. I wish you all the best to the beginning of a new life of renewed health and strength so we can have fun with the grandkids! Blessings, Des

[peggycas 0]

Good luck Lorraine. I am 59 so I know how you feel. You will do well. Keep in touch.

[Lorraine Ann 0]

Good luck Lorraine. I am 59 so I know how you feel. You will do well. Keep in touch.

Thanks to all who read and responded. This site has helped me to stay focused. The number of positive examples really inspires. look forward to talking with you all in the future. :biggrin:

[Lorraine Ann 0]

Hello To All,

I'm a very long time lurker, and first time poster. I had my surgery on the 21st of the month, and am just wrapping up my first day home post-op.

So far everything has gone smooth sailing. No stomach discomfort, no major abdominal pain, no trouble swallowing liquids, pills - no problems at all. To be honest, if it wasn't for the bandages around my chest, and the X-ray showing a band in there, I wouldn't have noticed anything different...well maybe my abdomen is a little sore.

I like to take a moment to add a little advise, and a word of encouragement to those of you who still have an upcoming surgery date and may be a little anxious or having second thoughts about it...

I haggled with my insurance carrier for over seven months before finally being approved (and this is from a supposedly top-notch one - BC/BS!). During that time, I read practically every thing I could find about the LAP-BAND®® System, especially on LBT, and greatly increased my knowledge about the strengths and the weaknesses of this type of weight loss surgery.

The point I'd like to make is for those of you still contemplating on having the procedure, realize that while you will find a gold-mine of great information on weight-loss surgery forum sites such as this one, but also be very mindful not to base your own upcoming surgery on somebody else's posted experience. Always keep in mind that generally what you are going to read about are problems or worst case scenarios, which do not reflect the majority of LB patient outcomes.

This is to be expected to some extent, I guess, since generally people do post in online forums to find some help or resolution to their questions or problems - and this goes for every subject under the sun, not just gastric banding, to be fair. In a nutshell, a person who limits themselves only to what they read online concerning LBS will hardly ever hear about the countless procedures performed every day that have positive outcomes with no issues at all - just like mine.

I point this out with the hope that those of you who are still waiting on your surgery and might be now be anxious or wavering in your decision to go through with it (as I was, right up to the last second I had the anesthetic mask put on) might take comfort in the fact the the odds are actually with you, not against you. After seven months of waiting for approval and filling my head with online horror stories of failed pre-op diets, tyrannical doctors, surgeries gone wrong, post-op problems, etc, I was ready to call the whole thing off. And if it wasn't for some last minute encouraging advice from an old acquaintance who had the surgery, I might have done just that. Now I'm glad I didn't.

Wrapping it all up, learn all you can about this valuable weight loss tool, but base your experiences on your own experiences, and learn to separate the golden nuggets of online info from all the late night horror shows floating around in the ether land. I'm now 15lbs down from the pre-op diet, post-surgery, and well on my way to goal. Hope you will all soon join me on the journey. :biggrin:

Stormrider

Start: 275 12/31/2009

Banded: 252 09/21/2009

Goal(?): 165 Someday!

LAP-BAND®® Surgery in Indiana - Bariatric Surgery - Morbid Obesity Surgery - Keith McEwen M.D.

Stormrider, you really should post more often. your comments made my day. thank you:rolleyes:

[Stormrider 0]

Thanks for your kind words, Lorraine Ann. My comments were a long time coming, and I hope they were as therapeutic to read as they were for me to write! :biggrin:

Best of luck on your upcoming surgery - it will be fine.

Stormrider

Start: 275 12/31/2009

Banded: 252 09/21/2009

Goal(?): 165 Someday!

LAP-BAND® Surgery in Indiana - Bariatric Surgery - Morbid Obesity Surgery - Keith McEwen M.D.

[LarraineM 6]

Congrats on your new band, Its a tough decision to make , but it has to be all about YOU sometimes.... I am not sorry for making the choice of a healthier lifstyle and future. We are both in our 50's now and there is no better time than now ! Good luck on your journey

[Lorraine Ann 0]

Well here I go. With fear and hope. Friday Sep 24 at 6 am.

every hurdle seems a test of committment.

I have my husband's support and for the first time have involved him totally in how important this step is to me. How essential it is.

I am married (duh). A new grandma!

And I need to change my health outlook and my inmost feelings about myself.

So here I go ....

Hi all, I am 15 hours post op and things are going well. minimal gas pains, mostly left sided neck pain that is manageable/tolerable. Hiatal hernia repaired. I am taking the pain meds right on schedule just in case but for now it is better than I thought it would be. I have to sleep in an upright position tonight because of the sleep apnea.

I made it!!!!! I can't believe it!!!! Surgeon said liver was in excellent shape because of the pre op diet so the surgery went quick. I dozing off now as I type so it must be time for another cat nap.

Bye all.

[BUNNY7 3]

Hi all, I am 15 hours post op and things are going well. minimal gas pains, mostly left sided neck pain that is manageable/tolerable. Hiatal hernia repaired. I am taking the pain meds right on schedule just in case but for now it is better than I thought it would be. I have to sleep in an upright position tonight because of the sleep apnea.

I made it!!!!! I can't believe it!!!! Surgeon said liver was in excellent shape because of the pre op diet so the surgery went quick. I dozing off now as I type so it must be time for another cat nap.

Bye all.

Wonderful news and you're doing so well Lorraine. Keep taking the pain killers as it really helps in those first 5 days. By the 5th day I managed without so you can see how quickly the body starts to heal itself. Great about your hubby - mine has been fantastic and so supportive. Just what we all need even if it's a friend, family member, whatever.... CONGRATULATIONS NEW BANDLETTE

[NappyDiva 0]

Hi! Congrats on the surgery. I, too recently had the surgery on 9/23/2010. I'm excited about the possibilities for you and for me! Hope you're feeling well.

[Lorraine Ann 0]

Hi! Congrats on the surgery. I, too recently had the surgery on 9/23/2010. I'm excited about the possibilities for you and for me! Hope you're feeling well.

Nappy, thanks for the well wishes. the same back to you. Other than the discomfort in my right shoulder things seem to be ok. I really thought it would be worse. I do find it ironic that now when I need to burp or pass gas I find I can't... what is that all about? My clinic called today to follow up on how things were going and they said the shoulder discomfort - absorption of the air they pumped into the abdominal cavity - would take about one week to go away, even with the walking. So far following orders has been easy to do, highly motivated. I don't want to lose fast, I just want to lose permanently!!!!!! Hope all is going well for you.

[bnwalker23 0]

we are band buddies:D i had mine on the 24th too:D

[JillianRN 0]

Hello To All,

I'm a very long time lurker, and first time poster. I had my surgery on the 21st of the month, and am just wrapping up my first day home post-op.

So far everything has gone smooth sailing. No stomach discomfort, no major abdominal pain, no trouble swallowing liquids, pills - no problems at all. To be honest, if it wasn't for the bandages around my chest, and the X-ray showing a band in there, I wouldn't have noticed anything different...well maybe my abdomen is a little sore.

I like to take a moment to add a little advice, and a word of encouragement to those of you who still have an upcoming surgery date and may be a little anxious or having second thoughts about it...

I haggled with my insurance carrier for over seven months before finally being approved (and this is from a supposedly top-notch one - BC/BS!). During that time, I read practically every thing I could find about the LAP-BAND® System, especially on LBT, and greatly increased my knowledge about the strengths and the weaknesses of this type of weight loss surgery.

The point I'd like to make is for those of you still contemplating on having the procedure, realize that while you will find a gold-mine of great information on weight-loss surgery forum sites such as this one, but also be very mindful not to base your own upcoming surgery on somebody else's posted experience. Always keep in mind that generally what you are going to read about are problems or worst case scenarios, which do not reflect the majority of LB patient outcomes.

This is to be expected to some extent, I guess, since generally people do post in online forums to find some help or resolution to their questions or problems - and this goes for every subject under the sun, not just gastric banding, to be fair. In a nutshell, a person who limits themselves only to what they read online concerning LBS will hardly ever hear about the countless procedures performed every day that have positive outcomes with no issues at all - just like mine.

I point this out with the hope that those of you who are still waiting on your surgery and might be now be anxious or wavering in your decision to go through with it (as I was, right up to the last second I had the anesthetic mask put on) might take comfort in the fact the the odds are actually with you, not against you. After seven months of waiting for approval and filling my head with online horror stories of failed pre-op diets, tyrannical doctors, surgeries gone wrong, post-op problems, etc, I was ready to call the whole thing off. And if it wasn't for some last minute encouraging advice from an old acquaintance who had the surgery, I might have done just that. Now I'm glad I didn't.

Wrapping it all up, learn all you can about this valuable weight loss tool, but base your experiences on your own experiences, and learn to separate the golden nuggets of online info from all the late night horror shows floating around in the ether land. I'm now 15lbs down from the pre-op diet, post-surgery, and well on my way to goal. Hope you will all soon join me on the journey. :drool:

Stormrider

Start: 275 12/31/2009

Banded: 252 09/21/2009

Goal(?): 165 Someday!

LAP-BAND® Surgery in Indiana - Bariatric Surgery - Morbid Obesity Surgery - Keith McEwen M.D.

Congratulations! thank you so much on your positive approach. I am 1 week out from having my surgery after fighting with good 'ol BC/BS, but finally it is winding down to "B" Day. Thanks again!

Jill